China-Europe cargo train service to Russia is launched on August 28, 2016. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

China has launched a new freight train route to boost trade along the ancient Silk Road.

The latest route links south China's Guangzhou City with Vorsino, Kaluzhskaya Oblast in Russia.

The train will travel 11,500 km over 14 days before reaching its destination.

The new train service saves 30 days compared with shipping services, and only costs a fifth of the price of air transportation.

So far, 26 cities in China have launched cargo train routes towards Europe and landlocked Asian regions.